According to a report by Football Insider, Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers is a leading contender for the Tottenham Hotspur job if Jose Mourinho is sacked – with chairman Daniel Levy allegedly pinning him as a potential heir to the current Lilywhites manager. 

Indeed, nine years after he was Levy’s ‘preferred choice’ at Tottenham, it appears Rodgers is back into consideration as doubts continue to linger over Mourinho’s future in north London.

Levy eyeing Rodgers as potential Spurs managerial contender

A potential sack for the Portuguese boss has been mooted, and while it remains to be seen whether Tottenham will dismiss, Football Insider now claim that Rodgers is a leading candidate for the potential job opening.

Football Insider also reveal that Rodgers himself was very keen to join Spurs at one point, but Liverpool made a formal approach first and the Northern Irishman agreed to be appointed at the Anfield helm.

Harry Redknapp was given his marching orders a fortnight later by Tottenham with Levy turning to Andre Villas-Boas as a Rodgers alternative.

Now, it appears he is a leading candidate for the Spurs job once again should Mourinho be shown the door.

Transfer Tavern take

Former Arsenal attacker turned pundit Perry Groves, speaking to talkSPORT recently, described Rodgers as an ‘elite manager’ – and Leicester’s high-flying form this season supporters his claim.

Rodgers will reportedly figure high on Tottenham’s shortlist if Mourinho is dismissed, and you can arguably see why Levy rates the former Celtic gaffer.

In other news: Tottenham have been gifted a potential boost over this star, find out more here.

MatériaMais Notícias

Não é só a Fiel torcida que se preocupa com a possível saída do técnico Tite do Corinthians para comandar a Seleção Brasileira. O rumor também é tema de debates entre os jogadores do Timão segundo o meia Rodriguinho.

Apontado por muitos como o melhor técnico do país, o treinador alvinegro tem sido pedido por muitos no comando do time canarinho, que faz campanha ruim nas Eliminatórias sob o comando de Dunga. No entanto, Rodriguinho torce contra.

– É lógico que a gente comenta. Deixa o Dunga um pouco mais, a gente fica com o Tite aqui, ele conhece o grupo. Temos um padrão, mesmo após o desmanche estamos em evolução. Gostaria que ele ficasse, porque ele tem muito mérito nisso – comentou.

Vivendo bom momento, Rodriguinho terá a partir dos próximos jogos uma concorrência de peso. O volante Elias está recuperado de umafissura na fíbula da perna esquerda, que o afastou dos gramados por mais de um mês.

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Para se manter entre os titulares, o meia cogita até mesmo mudar de posição.

-Realmente a concorrência é grande, é difícil disputar com um cara de Seleção Brasileira, de qualidade grande. Mas, se vocês se lembram, no começo do ano eu estava jogando do lado esquerdo, posso atuar por lá, o Tite tem que definir. O Elias vai ajudar a equipe, temos duas competições e queremos brigar pelas duas. É uma concorrência sadia – declarou Rodriguinho, lembrando que o Timão vai entrar nas fase finais do Paulistão e, muito possivelmente, da Copa Libertadores.

Managers will come and go at Arsenal but the same old problems will remain.

Arsene Wenger isn’t in London anymore but defensive errors are still rife. Unai Emery tried his utmost to eradicate them while Mikel Arteta has come close on occasions.

However, some painstaking individual mistakes have cost them in recent weeks. Whether it be Dani Ceballos against Benfica and Olympiacos, Bernd Leno versus Wolves or Granit Xhaka in the draw with Burnley, it has been nothing short of calamitous.

It appears that when it comes to defending, the club are cursed. Though, there is another area in N5 that appears to be a poisoned chalice; Arsenal’s captaincy.

Ever since Patrick Vieira left back in 2005, the Gunners have been through plenty of captains. Thierry Henry led from the front with his on-field displays but after that, it has been a tale of woe for pretty much each and every one of the club’s skippers.

William Gallas was the first antagonist back in 2007, tarnishing the captaincy and thus, beginning a remarkable trend at London Colney.

On the day that Eduardo broke his leg after a horrific challenge, Arsenal lost to Birmingham and with it, started their title collapse. Gallas was slumped on the floor at full time and sat motionless on the St Andrew’s Turf, waiting for the ground to swallow him up.

If anything encapsulated a host of Arsenal captains in the last 14 years it would be that moment. Cesc Fabregas took on the mantle next and like Henry, led well on the pitch.

However, he eventually moved to Barcelona and even missed an Arsenal game to go to watch the Spanish Grand Prix.

Robin van Persie took on the baton from the midfielder but similarly to Fabregas, departed shortly after following demands he made about the direction of the club. Thomas Vermaelen became his successor but a different kind of curse took over; one where their captain very rarely played.

The Belgian featured just 43 times in the league during his two years as captain. His replacement, Arteta, then played in just 16 matches during his final few campaigns in north London.

Per Mertesacker (seven games) and Laurent Koscielny (17 matches) took on the honour of wearing the captain’s armband afterwards. Koscielny, however, left in bizarre circumstances.

One moment, the French defender was happy and then the next, he was refusing to go on Arsenal’s pre-season tour of America in 2019. He subsequently moved to Bordeaux and then proceeded to rip off a Gunners shirt during his unveiling video.

Though, the worst of all was Granit Xhaka. The Swiss was horrendously torn apart by the club’s supporters in a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace during the 2019/20 campaign.

As he was being substituted, Xhaka proceeded to rip the armband off, give the crowd some stick and then throw his shirt to the ground in disgust.

Emery consequently relieved him of his duties and made Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang the skipper.

Like Henry, he has led from the front. Without Aubameyang, Arsenal wouldn’t have won the FA Cup last term. However, in recent days, we’ve seen the curse begin to blow up in Arteta’s face.

There has been a certain negativity attached to the honour of Arsenal captain over the last decade and now their star man is the latest to be caught up in some drama.

Aubameyang reported late when the team met up ahead of the north London derby with Tottenham on Sunday and as a result, he was dropped to the bench. It was a major call from the manager in what was their biggest game of the season.

The Gabonese forward failed to get any minutes and then while Arsenal’s subs warmed down on the Emirates pitch at full-time, he got in his car and sped off into the distance.

Time will tell whether that was a landmark moment in his career at the club. Aubameyang has often been the joker of the pack, the go-to man when Arsenal are in a crisis. On this occasion, however, he was nowhere to be seen.

After what’s happened in years gone by, Arteta will be wary of escalating this situation. After all, Arsenal’s number 14 had just started to rediscover his best form; the last thing they need is a starting XI without his name on.

AND in other news, Imagine him and Partey: Edu could sign Xhaka upgrade for AFC with “complete” £22m star…

A football finance guru has dropped a claim on the potential takeover of Newcastle United by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) group.

Speaking to Football Insider, Kieran Maguire has claimed that Mike Ashley would have to peg down his initial asking price to sell the St. James’ Park club if they were to see themselves relegated from the Premier League down to the EFL Championship:

“The price that has been discussed with regards to the PIF takeover was £300m.

“Mike Ashley was originally asking for about £350m but on the back of Covid, he’s had to drop the price. If they are out of the Premier League, there’s no guarantee you’re getting back first season.

“Anybody buying the club this summer if Newcastle were in the Championship is immediately looking at £60m less in broadcast money and no guarantee the club is going to return the following season.

“I think he would have to knock off around a third of his asking price, to about £200m. The reason I say that is because if I was a buyer then why would I buy Newcastle in the Championship when I can buy Derby County who are allegedly going for £60m?

“I think the chances of being taken over in the Championship would be hurt. In the Championship, you’d pay a big premium because it’s Newcastle but you’d be thinking why not buy Derby for a fraction of what I could spend on Newcastle.”

Newcastle in danger of relegation

After their 1-1 home draw against Wolves on Saturday night, in where an opener from Jamaal Lascelles was cancelled out by Ruben Neves, Steve Bruce’s men found themselves dangerously lingering just above the drop zone in 17th spot on 26 points, before Fulham’s away trip to Crystal Palace on Sunday lunchtime.

If the North East club were to find themselves relegated, then a Championship team would surely be less attractive to the prospective buyers than an EPL one.

It may also be a question for Ashley as to whether he would want to sell the Tyneside club for potentially much less than his asking price as well, and whether he would then hold off until the Magpies were back in the top flight again.

Nonetheless, it will be interesting to see what does happen with the potential bid if the Toon were to find themselves relegated.

In other news, find out whose display was slammed by Lee Ryder versus Wolves here!

A new day represents a new story in the hunt for Celtic’s next manager. Neil Lennon left three weeks ago and the Bhoys are still yet to find a successor.

What’s the word?

One of the managers linked with the vacant hot seat is American Jesse Marsch.

The 47-year-old is currently in charge of Red Bull Salzburg in Austria but in a fresh twist, has recently opened up on the idea of taking charge of the Hoops.

In an interview with BBC Sport, Marsch said: “I’ve heard [about the links]. It’s an honour for me.

“Three or four years ago, being linked with a club like Celtic would literally be an impossibility for me. And now that this is where I am, I always just try to look at it in terms of, ‘what would the project look like?”

Marsch continued: “Would we have similar ideas in how to build it the right way, invest in the academy, invest in young players and create this development process that I’m talking about? And not just focus on winning.

“Obviously I know that when you’re the coach of Celtic, winning is the most important thing,” he concluded.

Desmond must be buzzing

News that Marsch is appealed by the Hoops vacancy should be music to the ears of majority shareholder Dermot Desmond and the club’s supporters.

The Salzburg boss is far from a household name but he’s achieved incredible things in his short coaching career to date.

The American was formerly Leipzig’s assistant and has now swapped German shores for Austrian ones. He has played a leading role in Erling Haaland’s progression and as manager of Salzburg, gave Liverpool a run for their money in the Champions League, suffering a 4-3 defeat at Anfield.

Marsch has lost just 16 of his 82 matches as Salzburg manager; a win success of 65%. With that in mind, it’s hard to ignore these quotes.

He’s already been talked up for the manager’s job, specifically by Packie Bonner, someone who claimed Marsch was in the mould of a certain Brendan Rodgers.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-celtic-transfer-news-onuachu-edouard-dembele-turnbull” title=”The latest Celtic news and views!”]

The 47-year-old is a manager who thinks outside the box, and regularly gets his teams to play with a relentless press. He is very much a person bred from the Ralf Rangnick school of how to coach football.

Unique in his approach, he’d certainly bring a different type of style and thought process to Parkhead than Lennon.

This can only be a good thing; he’d be an astute capture if Celtic can capitalise on his interest. Hoops fans should have every reason to be excited.

AND in other news, Celtic must ruthlessly axe £15k-p/w flop this summer, Lennon once called him “stupid”…

It’s not often you get to preach about the positives at Sunderland. After all, they’ve been few and far between over the last couple of years.

However, with the club in the playoff places and in the Papa John’s Trophy final, things are looking rosier under the guidance of Lee Johnson, Kristjaan Speakman and Kyril Louis-Dreyfus.

On the chalkboard

Although there are more encouraging signs behind the scenes, Sunderland still have a tactical problem on the field of play.

They have turned their form around in recent weeks and are now just seven points behind Lincoln who sit in second place. Injuries have wreaked havoc with the squad but Johnson has still managed to engineer encouraging results.

That being said, their left-back area is still a concern. Denver Hume has been out injured since early December and they’ve arguably not recovered in that third of the pitch since.

Callum McFadzean is struggling and has been rather inconsistent of late. He gave away a penalty against Wimbledon and was then caught napping and out of position for both goals in the defeat to Plymouth.

Jake Vokins has hardly typified consistency either. After playing against Arsenal just a matter of days before he arrived in the north-east, he looked like an attractive loan acquisition. However, he’s been ridiculed.

His debut was described as one of the worst Roker Report have seen from a Sunderland player and he lacked assurance once more against Shrewsbury and Burton. He failed to track his man in the defeat to Shrewsbury, allowing a simple tap in at the back post and then against the Brewers, he misplaced a succession of passes.

Sunderland regrets

Sunderland’s main aims in the January window were adding players capable of stretching the play but also, finding a left-back.

Johnson recognised there was a problem there with Hume injured but despite the club’s best efforts, it has arguably been a failed ordeal. Vokins has been poor and considering some of the reported options they had, maybe they should have looked elsewhere.

One of the most notable names touted was 18-year-old Hibernian full-back Josh Doig. He’s been described as having a “brilliant” season by former Mackems boss Jack Ross in Scotland and could have cost the club just £1m.

Of course, that’s a fairly sizable fee for a side in League One but his qualities and potential are radiant. Also linked with Leeds United and Manchester City in January, Doig is a rampant wing-back, capable of striding forward and impacting play in the final third.

Though, he is adept defensively. He has won more aerial duels, tackles, interceptions and drawn fewer fouls per game this season than Vokins.

The statistics point to a talented player, especially given his age. Thus, Speakman perhaps should have pursued this deal instead. Of course, Vokins could still come good but the early signs are hardly positive.

AND in other news, Dreyfus could begin his reign with a bang by tying down “outstanding” SAFC gem…

تحدث أوجستين إيجوافوين المدير الفني لمنتخب نيجيريا، عن الفوز الذي حققه أمام مصر، في أولى مواجهات المجموعة الرابعة بكأس أمم إفريقيا.

واستطاع منتخب نيجيريا تحقيق الفوز على مصر بهدف دون رد، وذلك في إطار مباريات الجولة الأولى للمجموعة الرابعة من بطولة أمم إفريقيا المقامة بالكاميرون.

وقال أوجستين خلال تصريحات لقناة “بي إن سبورت” عقب المباراة: “أهنئ اللاعبين على الأداء، المنتخب المصري جدير بالاحترام ولكننا لعبنا باستراتيجية معينة”.

طالع | موعد مباراة مصر القادمة أمام غينيا بيساو في كأس أمم إفريقيا 2021

وأضاف: “هم أيضًا يلعبون باستراتيجية وأنهم يريدون التمرير لـ محمد صلاح، ونحن عملنا على الاستحواذ على الكرة وعدم وصولها لـ محمد صلاح”.

وأتم: “سنلعب كل مباراة على أنها مباراة نهائية وسنرى ماذا سنفعل”. شاهد تصريحات مدرب نيجيريا بعد الفوز علي مصر

MatériaMais Notícias

O pontapé inicial da trajetória de Diego com a camisa do Flamengo está prestes a acontecer. Chegando sob forte expectativa, o meia estreará neste domingo, às 11h, no Mané Garrincha, diante do Grêmio, em um confronto que lhe rende boas lembranças no gramado.

Pelo Santos, foram apenas quatro duelos, com os dois mais importantes em dezembro de 2002: válidos pelas semifinais do Brasileirão. E Diego, ao lado de Robinho, Elano & Cia., garantiram a vaga na decisão, despachando o Grêmio que tinha nomes como Danrlei, Tinga e Rodrigo Fabri.

Entre 2002 e 2003, são duas vitórias, uma derrota e um empate (o único jogo no qual Diego marcou). O LANCE! recorda alguns dos detalhes das partidas. Confira!

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Plenty of Crystal Palace fans have been reacting to the club’s reported interest in Wolves’ Dion Sanderson on social media.

According to Football Insider, the Eagles, along with Huddersfield Town, have joined Sheffield United in the race to sign the 21-year-old.

Sanderson is currently out on loan in the North East with Sunderland, becoming a regular under new manager Lee Johnson at the Stadium of Light in recent months.

His contract at Molineux expires in just over 12 months time, with the report claiming Sanderson could cost just £2m in the summer window.

The Englishman, who has tuned out on 22 occasions for the Eagles, is thought to be open to a move away, should his current employers decide to cash in the upcoming window.

Palace fans react

@cpfc_xtra shared Football Insider’s report on Twitter on Wednesday morning. This is what these Palace supporters had to say in reply to the transfer update, with one describing the defender as a ‘baller’.

“he would surely choose us right?”

Credit: @sam_paIace

“He’s a baller, probably got one of the big 6 after him”

Credit: @ReeceJMT

“would be too big of a step, we would be perfect”

Credit: @sam_paIace

“well you’d like to think he’d choose us considering the other two and Sunderland will likely all be in the championship next season and if Wolves have any sense then the next step will be to loan him to a premier league team. #CPFC”

Credit: @cpfcjude

“All the big clubs after him, what does that tell you. Just need West Brom and Newcastle to join the party now.”

Credit: @bellabiteme

“Versatile, physical, young, confident, cheap, fairly available and home-grown… ticks plenty of boxes for Palace. Can’t see any huge risk here”

Credit: @acjonesy1

In other news: Many Palace fans plead with current star as transfer comments emerge, find out more here. 

The Celtic manager’s vacancy has to be one of the most talked-about subjects in football right now. Neil Lennon is no longer in charge and as a result, Dermot Desmond and Peter Lawwell have some big decisions to make on who replaces him.

Some impressive names have been touted with taking the job; one of which is current Scotland boss Steve Clarke.

The Express revealed last week that he was one of the names in the running to take over at Parkhead and if you judge him by what he’s achieved with Scotland, you’d take the manager in a heartbeat.

He has taken the national team to their first major tournament since 1998, a historic triumph for the 57-year-old. With that in mind, he will surely take charge of Scotland at the Euros this summer before considering a move elsewhere.

We’ve already looked at the negative influence his style of football could have on Ryan Christie but one player he could benefit is Ismaila Soro.

With Scott Brown out of contract in the summer, he will most likely take on the reins as the Hoops’ primary defensive midfielder.

He’d tick plenty of boxes for Clarke too, mainly because he prefers to operate with a more defensive style of play. That’s something Celtic podcaster John Paul Dykes has already picked up on: “I think the job he’s doing is reminiscent to Craig Brown. He’s basically shoring up the backline. That’s his absolutely key attribute as a manager,” he said earlier this season.

At Kilmarnock, the Scotland boss saw his team find the net only 1.4 times per game. At Reading, meanwhile, it was even worse; just 1.1 goals per match.

Clarke traditionally prefers to build from the back and stabilise a team’s defence, which would surely make Soro a major component of whatever XI he builds.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-celtic-manager-hunt-stories-wagner-marsch-martinez-lennon-news” title=”The last stories on Celtic’s hunt for a new manager!”]

At Killie, the coach conceded fewer goals in 2017/18 than Rangers as he guided them to a fifth-place finish. During their next campaign, his team finished third, a season where Kilmarnock conceded less than a goal a game and had the third-best defensive record in the entire Scottish Premiership.

One of the main reasons behind that was not only Clarke but the way he deployed Gary Dicker at the base of his midfield. He missed three league outings all season and laid a solid platform in front of the defence.

Soro could be a player of a similar ilk for Clarke. After all, he’s already proven what an asset he can be in that third of the pitch this season. In two separate games, the Ivorian has completed over eight tackles; one of which came in the Europa League during a combative performance versus Lille.

Combine that with Clarke’s astute defensive coaching and you could have a star in the making. The £11k-per-week brute would surely relish a partnership such as this.

AND in other news, Forget Harper: Celtic should swoop for 5-goal gem who’s been “on top of the world”…